"Last year we were beaten by by three minutes, which was very disappointing. This year we beat them by much more," skipper Mark Richards told the race's official website after coming home with 45 nautical miles to spare.

World's best sailing photo – Malta photographer Kurt Arrigo leaned out of a helicopter to capture this stunning picture of the Rolex Volcano Race, winner of the World Yacht Racing Forum Image of the Year competition.

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Photos:The world's best yachting images of 2012

Second place – Ian Roman's dramatic image of sailors battling the waves during the Volvo Ocean Race was awarded second place.

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Third place – Two-time award winner Thierry Martinez had hoped to pick up his third trophey with this image of a yacht during the Vendee Globe race. Instead, he was awarded third place.

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Fourth place – Tom Gruitt's photo of sailing competitors lining up for the 2012 London Olympics was awarded fourth place. Leading the pack was gold medalist Ben Ainslie, also one of the judges in the photography awards.

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Fifth place – This vaguely comical image of a sailor struggling to get on board a wayward boat earnt Matias Capizzano fifth place.

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Stunning sunset – The prestigious competition attracted 46 submissions from around the world. Photographer Ainhoa Sanchez captured this serene moment during the Platu 25 World Championship in Italy.

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Breathtaking views – The fifth annual photography competition was only open to professional photographers. Here, Chris Schmind captures the varied blue hues of the Bol d'Or Mirabaud.

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Hairy moments – Photographer Christophe Favreau said Arrigo's winning photo would have been impossible to capture with slow film cameras 20 years ago. Favreau's own submission was of a toubled skiff during the Expresso International Regatta.

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Storm brewing – Sailors brace for a storm during the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in this photo by Dallas Kilponen.

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Vast ocean – This haunting image of a lone yacht off the coast of Brittany, France, during the Vendee Globe race, was submitted by photographer Jesus Renedo.

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Battling the elements – "It's an investment to have the right camera equipment that can withstand the salt water," award organizer Bernard Schopfer said. Photographer Hamish Hooper was well prepared when he took this image of sailors battling waves in the Southern Ocean.

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Sea spray – Ronald Koelink's action-packed photo of competitors during a practice-run of the Volvo Ocean Race in Cape Town earlier this month.

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Point of view – Photographer Jen Edney gets down low to take this unusual angle of Team France training ahead of the America's Cup.

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Tide turn – Photography competitors were judged on technical elements such as clarity, lighting, composition, and also originality. Here, sailors hold tight during the Soto 40 South American Championships, taken by Luis Fernandez.

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Picture perfect – "It's not about capturing what everyone else saw, it's about creating what no-one else could see," said photographer Marc Bow, who submitted this painterly image.

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Serious sailing – Resembling a black space ship, the U.S. team's yacht during the America's Cup was captured by photographer Guilain Grenier from a helicopter.

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Filmic photos – Competitors in this year's Les Voiles de St Tropez cling on to their boat in this otherworldly image by Patrick Le Galloudec.

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Water works – Ulf Sommerwerck took this unusual water-level shot during the International Sailing Federation World Cup in Mallorca, Spain.

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Drama on the seas – Team USA capsize during the America's Cup in this dramatic image by photographer Sander van der Borch. The team went on to win the prestigious race.

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A difficult job – "Sailing photography is a very difficult job. But it also offers you the chance to travel to exciting destinations," Bernard Schopfer, one of the organizers of the awards, said. This image was submitted by photographer Tani Simberg.

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Photos:Kos Evans: Daredevil sailing photographer

Photos:Kos Evans: Daredevil sailing photographer

On a high – Kos, renowned as the pioneer of masthead photography, first hoisted to the top of a 24 meter mast during the America's Cup in 1982.

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Tall task – The extraordinary pictures, taken from masts up to 10 storeys-high, capture sailors the size of ants scuttling around on sleek white decks, surrounded by churning ocean and enormous rippling sails.

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Camera, action – "By the next America's Cup in Fremantle, Australia, in 1987 (pictured), I had built a reputation for taking masthead images," she said.

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Master class – Kos is a household name in sailing photography circles, having been shortlisted for the prestigious British Sports Photography Awards, British Nautical Awards and exhibited at London's Getty Gallery.

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Le Bon – The British photographer captured Duran Duran singer Simon le Bon in this vertigo-inducing portrait. The musician almost died after his yacht capsized in the 1985 Fastnet Race.

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Towering above – Kos photographed Saint Tropez harbor from the top of 52 meter schooner Eleonora. "Whilst guest and crew were chatting on deck and strollers gathered on the promenade, I donned a harness and was hoisted 45 meters aloft," she said.

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Photos:Kos Evans: Daredevil sailing photographer

On the edge – Kos has had some close calls in her 30 year career, including this moment when the 18 meter mast she was on, capsized. Luckily a sailor cut the connecting cable in time for her to escape unharmed.

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Powering forward – Kos is also known for her spectacular images of the World Champion Powerboat competition. "There was no room for me in the cockpit, so the only solution was for me to hang onto the foredeck as we sped along at 150kmph," she said of this image.

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Jumping ahead – "Being a woman working amongst a large team of serious male athletes can be quite threatening. There is little priority or consideration given to the photographer," Kos said.

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Aiming high – When not clambering up masts, the award-winning photographer can also be found hanging from a helicopter in a harness traveling 160 kilometres per-hour in hot pursuit of powerboats.

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Photos:Kos Evans: Daredevil sailing photographer

Under pressure – Kos also took up diving as a way of overcoming her fear of sharks. "Diving deep takes the colour out of an image. Below 10 meters, everything turns blue, hence the use of a model yacht for these images," she said of underwater photography.

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Pioneering passion – Kos doesn't see herself as a daredevil, despite the title of a new book describing her as one. "My drive has always been trying to find a different image, something that hasn't been done before." she said.

Amazing sports moments of 2012 – John Wall of the Washington Wizards hits the floor after taking a shot against Kyle Korver of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 11 in Chicago.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The car driven by Kamui Kobayashi of Japan flies through the air after crashing during the start of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco on May 27 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Devin Funchess of the University of Michigan celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen on September 15 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Luke Patience, left, and Stuart Bithell of Great Britain celebrate after finishing second and winning the silver medal in the men's 470 Sailing on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10 in Weymouth, England.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Allen Craig of the St. Louis Cardinals breaks his bat during a hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 24 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Dare To Dream, who is trained by Bart Cummings, enjoys eating grass after trackwork on October 30 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – A gymnast performs during warmups before the start of the artistic gymnastics women's team final on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 31 in London.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Maksim Veraska of Ukraine competes in the men's 200m IM - SM12 heat 2 on Day 5 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on September 3 in London.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Brigetta Barrett of the United States celebrates after a jump during the women's high jump final on Day 15 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 11.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Derrick Martin of the New York Giants makes a video of head coach Tom Coughlin while they celebrate in the locker room after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park on January 22 in San Francisco.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The Oracle Team USA flips over during a fleet race in the America's Cup World Series on October 6 in San Francisco.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Running back Trent Richardson of the Cleveland Browns hits the ground hard after a play against the Baltimore Ravens on September 27 in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Spectators celebrate Abingdon School winning The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, a rowing event, during the fifth day of the 2012 Henley Royal Regatta on July 1 in Henley-on-Thames, England.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Berlin, right, battles with Hovex Lass during the 7th race at the Coral Brighton and Hove Greyhound Stadium on March 21 in Brighton, England.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Aisen Chen and Huo Liang of China dive during the synchronized men 10-meter platform final on Day 4 of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix on May 13 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Senyue Deng of China competes in the individual all-around rhythmic gymnastics on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympics Games on August 9.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Bernie Ibini of the Mariners competes for the ball during the round seven A-League match between the Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners on November 17 in Melbourne, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – A competitor runs along the beach during the 2012 Bondi Barefoot Race at Bondi Beach on May 27 in Sydney, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Ning Ding of China plays a forehand during the women's singles table tennis quarter-final match against Ai Fukuhara of Japan on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 31.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The Syracuse Orange and San Diego State Aztecs play during the Battle On The Midway college basketball game on the deck of the USS Midway on November 11 in San Diego, California.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Robin Nahas of the Richmond Tigers is tackled during an AFL match against the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 2 in Melbourne, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Xin Wang of China reaches for a shot hit by Xuerui Li of China in the women's singles badminton semi-final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Switzerland's Fabienne Suter falls during the super combined slalom of the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup event on January 27 in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees injures his leg playing against the Detroit Tigers during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 13.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Kei Nishikori of Japan serves during his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on Day 10 of the 2012 Australian Open on January 25 in Melbourne, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – A young fan runs in front of the peloton during stage two of the USA Pro Challenge on August 21 in Sapinero, Colorado.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Ryan Harwood of the Brisbane Lions and James Magner of the Melbourne Demons compete for a mark during an Australian Football League match on July 1 in Brisbane, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Julianna Naoupu of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic lies amongst the confetti after winning the Australian and New Zealand Netball League Championship match against the Melbourne Vixens on July 22 in Melbourne, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Alviro Petersen of South Africa fields the ball during day five of the third Test match between New Zealand and South Africa on March 27 in Wellington, New Zealand.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Dong Cheng, left, of China fights against Erika Cruz Hernandez, right, of Mexico in the Women's 60kg preliminary match during the AIBA women's world boxing championships on May 14 in Qinhuangdao, China.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Fans watch from the stands as Kurtley Beale of the Australian Wallabies looks to pass during the International Rugby Test match against Wales on June 23 in Sydney, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – A surfer rides a wave at Bronte Beach on May 8 in Sydney, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Jonte Green of the Detroit Lions loses his helmet while being stiff-armed by Bobby Rainey of the Baltimore Ravens as Ricardo Silva tackles him on August 17 in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Athletes compete in the women's marathon on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Golfers dressed in outfits from the 1930s play on Monifeith Links course during the 8th World Hickory Open on October 8 in Monifeith, Scotland.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka of the Minnesota Twins attempts to make a throw to first base during a game against the Cleveland Indians on August 6 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Riders race in the AAMI Victoria Derby during Victorian Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 3 in Melbourne, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Papiss Cisse of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 2 in London.

Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Competitors help pull each other up a mud hill during the 2012 Tough Mudder on April 1 in Phillip Island, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point in his quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic on day nine of the 2012 Australian Open on January 24 in Melbourne, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Athletes rest at the finish line of the women's marathon on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympics on August 5.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Justin Maneri of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks dives into the scorer's table after attempting to save the ball in the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 16.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – North Korea's Mi Gyong Choe, in red, competes against Poland's Monika Ewa Michalik in the women's freestyle 63-kg wrestling match on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympics on August 8.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Eight cars wreck during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 24, in Daytona Beach.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – John Daly of the United States plays a shot from the trees during the first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open on November 15.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Kofi Kingston, bottom left, competes in the ring against The Miz during the WWE SmackDown World Tour on November 2 in Hamburg, Germany.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Supporters of the local team cheer prior to the Bundesliga match between FSV Mainz 05 and VfL Wolfsburg at Coface Arena on April 20 in Mainz, Germany.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Great Britain competes in the women's teams synchronized swimming free routine final on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a touchdown during the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 5 in New Orleans. The Saints won 28-13.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Austrian Gregor Schlierenzauer competes during the first round of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup event at the 60th Four Hills Tournament at Bergisel on January 4 in Innsbruck, Austria.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Aaron Hill of the Arizona Diamondbacks safely slides in to score a run past catcher Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on April 8 in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants 7-6.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Richard Whitehead of Great Britain celebrates winning gold in the Men's 200-meter T42 final on Day 3 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on September 1.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Athletes compete in the Men's 15-kilometer mass start during the IBU Biathlon World Championships at Chiemgau Arena on March 11 in Ruhpolding, Germany.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – No. 1 Tavon Austin and No. 12 Geno Smith of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrate after Austin caught a 37-yard touchdown reception thrown by Smith in the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers during the Discover Orange Bowl on January 4 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Mountaineers won 70-33.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – South Korea's Woojin Hwang is thrown from his horse Oscar Shearwater during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's modern pentathlon riding show jumping event at Greenwich Park on August 11.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Allister Carter of England competes against Ronnie O'Sullivan of England during the final of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship on May 6 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The Vanuatu women's national cricket team celebrates during a match against Japan at Independence Park during the ICC East Asia Pacific Women's Championship on May 17 in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Jason Richardson, left, and Carmelita Jeter celebrate after placing third in the women's 200-meter and men's 110-meter finals at the London 2012 Olympics on August 8.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – French rugby player Sebastien Chabal, right, packs down against another player during a Balmain Club rugby training session at King George Park on February 23 in Sydney.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Great Britain's Micah Richards, top left, goes for the ball against South Korea's Jung Sung-ryong and Ji Dong-won in the men's football quarterfinal match on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 4 in Cardiff, Wales.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Thailand's Kaokaew Pornchai returns a shot to Indonesia's team in the men's kick volleyball semifinal during Day 3 of the ISTAF Super Series on February 25 in Palembang, Indonesia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Manuel Minginfel of the Federated States of Micronesia competes in the men's 62-kilogram weightlifting on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 30.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – C.J. Sapong of Sporting KC does a backflip after scoring during the Major League Soccer game against the Toronto FC on June 16 in Kansas City.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Nikki Johnson of the Western Conference is tackled during first game of the Lingerie Football League All-Star Tour on June 2 in Brisbane, Australia.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – James Reveley falls from Wayward Frolic during the Gain Horse Feeds Novices' Steeple Chase on November 6 in Exeter, England.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Hampshire batsman Simon Katich is run out by Yorkshire keeper Jonny Bairstow during the final of the Friends Life T20 between Hampshire and Yorkshire at SWALEC Stadium on August 25 in Cardiff, Wales.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Riders take a jump in the men's BMX cycling semifinals on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates his 7-5, 7-5 win against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semifinal of men's singles tennis on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3 in London.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys dives to makes a catch for a 30-yard touchdown as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the Philadelphia Eagles defends on November 11 in Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 38-23.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – From left, Rafal Murawski and Marcin Wasilewski of Poland vie for the ball with Sergei Ignashevich of Russia during the Group A preliminary round match of the UEFA EURO 2012 between Poland and Russia in Warsaw, Poland, on June 12.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – Competitors run under the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Sydney Running Festival on September 16.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – John Kuhn of the Green Bay Packers dives in for the touchdown over Aaron Ross of the New York Giants during their NFC divisional playoff game on January 15 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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Amazing sports moments of 2012 – The United States women's soccer team celebrates a gold medal win against Japan on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 9.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Small boat, big dreams – Sven Yrvind with his half-constructed vessel, Yrvind Ten. The 73-year-old plans to sail the three meter boat around the world.

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Setting sail – The swedish boat builder says bigger vessels are more dangerous than smaller ones, adding: "My boat is like a little capsule --it will capsize, it will pitchpole, but it will always come back up."

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Open seas – In a career spanning more than 50 years, Yrvind is showing no signs of slowing down. Last year he sailed 4.5 meter boat "Yrvind.com" (pictured) from Ireland to the Caribbean.

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Seafaring childhood – Yrvind (pictured as 13-year-old), quickly learned to sail after growing up on the small Swedish island of Branno in the North Sea.

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High sea hopes – He first lived on a boat as a 23-year-old studying mathematics in Copenhagen, during the 1960s.

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Life on the water – Yrvind in the six meter yacht he built in his mother's basement and sailed from Sweden to Newport in 1983. The boat is now on display at the Museum of Yachting in Newport, Rhode Island.

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Shooting the breeze – The boat was named Bris, meaning "breeze" in Swedish. "I built her in 1972 and sailed her until 1982, criss-crossing the Atlantic many times," Yrvind said.

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Simple design – Yrvind was inducted into the Museum of Yachting's Hall of Fame in 1988, for his many solo expeditions. In 1968 he sailed four meter boat "Anna" (pictured) from Sweden to England.

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Moment for reflection – "Out at sea it's a cleaner environment -- mentally and physically. When I come back from this voyage I will be a healthier, younger person," Yrvind said.

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World-renowned – The world-renowned boat builder wrote articles about his adventures for yachting magazine "Cruising World" for more than 20 years, appearing on its cover in December 1975.

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Royal reception – Yrvind gave a talk on his expeditions to the Swedish King and Queen around four years ago. Despite stern words from organizers, he refused to wear a suit at the function.

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Record breaking attempt – Italian Alessandro Di Benedetto currently holds the record for sailing around the world in the smallest boat, completing the voyage in a 6.5 meter vessel in 2010.

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Think big – Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first person to single-handedly sail around the world in a 9.8 meter yacht, in 1969.

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Despite the odds – The 73-year-old said Yrvind could complete the voyage, adding that many people had thought his own bid to circumnavigate the globe was impossible at the time.

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Young and old – Yrvind's one-and-a-half-ton boat is a drop in the ocean compared to the 15-ton yacht sailed around the world by Australian teenager Jessica Watson in 2010

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The record had looked like slipping out of his grasp as conditions lightened going up the Derwent River, but Richards ordered a bigger mainsail to keep momentum going.

"We just kept chipping away. You expect it to be light in the Derwent and it did get lighter towards the end. This is a very testing event and the Derwent is very, very, testing. It's always a tough race," he said.

"We had some very hard and fast running conditions; we blew out a spinnaker and had some gear failure, so it wasn't all smooth sailing."

Most of the crew have been together since 2005, with Steve Jarvin celebrating his 25th race with a record 10th line honors victory.

Wild Oats became only the second boat in the event to break its own record.

"We'll try to do it again next year," owner Bob Oatley said.

"New wings on the keel helped enormously I'm sure, so did the new jib. The design, the crew, the sails and the modifications are what makes the boat fast."

Ragamuffin Loyal, skippered by 85-year-old Syd Fischer, was confirmed in second ahead of Lahana after being cleared of making an early start on Wednesday. An international jury ruled Friday that race officials had failed to inform Fischer that he had jumped the gun.

Fischer was left to rue problems with damaged headsail equipment on the first night of the race.

"We had a bit of trouble," he said after finishing his 44th Sydney-Hobart in one day, 23 hours and eight minutes and 44 seconds.

"We're new to the boat, we've only had it two months. I think we did pretty well. The boys pushed the boat really hard, it's just unfortunate that things broke or went wrong."

The race, being held for the 68th time, is known as one of the toughest in the world. The 1998 edition ended with just 44 of the 115 entries completing the journey, as five boats sank and six people died.

Living Doll was the first yacht of the 76-strong fleet to withdraw from this year's event, suffering a broken rudder near the middle of Bass Strait, 90 nautical miles north east of Flinders Island.

"The Race Committee has been advised that the crew are all in good shape and that they are managing by themselves. They have not asked any other yacht to stand by," the Sydney-Hobart website reported Thursday.

It was followed by Primitive Cool (damaged mainsail) and Corporate Initiatives, which developed steering issues.